Best Places to Eat in Dadeland

Dadeland, located in Kendall, is one of Miami’s most popular neighborhoods, known for its great shopping, casual residential feel and growing dining scene. Longtime local institutions share the neighborhood with exciting newcomers, offering plenty of reasons to come hungry. Whether you're craving Cuban comfort food, handcrafted pizza, steaming bowls of ramen or bold Caribbean flavors, you'll find plenty of memorable places to eat in and around Dadeland.

Islas Canarias Cuban Express

One of Miami's most beloved Cuban restaurants has made its way to Dadeland Mall’s food court with Islas Canarias Cuban Express. Building on the legacy of the original family-owned restaurant that's been a West Kendall staple since 1977, this fast-casual concept offers longtime favorites in a grab-and-go format. 

From award-winning croquetas (in flavors like smoked fish, kimchee mojo pork and buffalo cauliflower) to Cuban sandwiches, ropa vieja, vaca frita and customizable rice bowls, it’s an easy way to enjoy authentic Cuban food. Don’t skip the richly delicious Cuban coffee.

Pubbelly Sushi

If you’re looking for inventive sushi and small bites, Pubbelly Sushi is the place to go. This locally loved restaurant, which has locations throughout Miami, is known for its butter krab roll that’s wrapped in soy paper and served with ponzu and warm, clarified butter for dipping.

Other popular dishes include rock shrimp tempura and kimchi fried rice. Pubbelly Sushi has a casual setting that’s perfect for a weeknight date or lunch with friends. Happy hour, Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m., features food, beer, sake, wine and cocktails starting at $5.

Jrk!

Jrk! delivers authentic Jamaican cuisine in a fast-casual setting that's perfect for lunch, dinner or a quick bite. Led by chef Wayne Sharpe, this spot is the quick-service sister restaurant to Downtown Miami's Mangrove and serves customizable bowls with bases like rice and peas, jerk fried rice or mixed greens, topped with proteins including classic jerk chicken, jerk shrimp, oxtail or vegan jerk.

Finish your bowl with pineapple plantains, crispy yuca sticks, cabbage slaw and house-made sauces like the spicy Rude Boy sauce, or add a flaky Jamaican patty on the side.

UDON

Head to Dadeland Mall for a satisfying bowl of noodles at UDON. This popular restaurant that’s inspired by traditional Japanese noodle bars serves made-to-order udon, ramen and soba alongside shareable, izakaya-style small plates like pork buns, gyozas and tiger shrimp tempura.

Signature dishes include kimchi chicken udon, miso ramen and corral chicken yakisoba. Pair your meal with Japanese-inspired cocktails like a yuzu sake margarita or lychee Moscow mule. Stop by for the weekday happy hour featuring discounted drinks and small plates.

Eleventh Street Pizza

When you're craving a classic New York-style slice, Eleventh Street Pizza delivers with high-end ingredients piled onto naturally leavened sourdough crust made with organic flour. The Dadeland location is nearly twice the size of the original Downtown Miami restaurant, offering a full-service dining experience with indoor and outdoor seating.

Order one of the signature pies like the pepperoni and hot honey and the wild shroom with cremini mushrooms, garlic confit and caramelized onions; or opt for a thick, Sicilian-style square. The Dadeland outpost also features smaller 14-inch pies and pizza by the slice, making it easy to split with friends or enjoy during a quick lunch break. The garlic knots, giant homemade meatballs and chocolate budino really make the meal complete.

Fratelli by Jholano’s

Fratelli by Jholano’s, located in Downtown Dadeland, is a cozy and quaint family-owned Italian restaurant that’s perfect for a catch-up with a small group or an elegant-but-casual date night. 

Enjoy freshly made pastas crafted from old family recipes, house-made flatbreads and an assortment of antipasti in addition to paninis with cured meats such as hard salami and mortadella. Finish your meal with tiramisu or decadent pistachio tres leches. There’s also a wide selection of Italian wines to complement your meal.

Ghee Indian Kitchen

For standout Indian cuisine, head to Ghee Indian Kitchen, run by James Beard Award semifinalist Niven Patel, who grows most of the restaurant’s ingredients at Rancho Patel, his farm not far away in Homestead. Jars of fermenting veggies and sauces line the shelves, and the open kitchen lets guests see the chefs in action.

Located in Downtown Dadeland, Ghee Indian Kitchen offers a $65 tasting menu featuring 13 its most popular dishes, including yellowfin tuna bhel, burrata chaat, chicken tikka masala, kerala lamb curry, dal makhani and sticky date cake with ginger ice cream. There are also lunch and dinner à la carte menus.

Whitney’s

Located inside the Miami Marriott Dadeland hotel, Whitney’s is ideal for those looking for a hearty breakfast to start their day. Menu options range from a classic All-American platter with eggs, hash browns, your choice of bacon, ham steak, sausage or Canadian bacon, toast, coffee and juice to cornflake-crusted French toast topped with fresh fruit and maple syrup.

For something more hearty, opt for a three-egg omelet or the steak and eggs. Whitney’s is a large restaurant that’s great for big groups celebrating a special occasion, especially during the holidays, when it has special menu offerings. If it’s later in the day, pop over to Le Mirage Lobby Lounge to cozy up with a cocktail and small plates, or enjoy a full lunch or dinner.

North Italia

Those looking for pizzas and pastas should make their way to North Italia at Dadeland Mall. The restaurant makes its fresh pasta and dough daily. Order family-style to make the most of the massive menu, because chances are you’re going to want to try it all, from cacio e pepe arancini and The Pig pizza with salami, pepperoni, spicy sopressatta and Italian sausage to lasagna with short rib.

From 3 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, there’s a happy hour in the bar area where you can order $18 pizzas and a bottle of wine for $30. North Italia serves lunch, brunch and dinner and is the perfect spot to refuel after a fun day of shopping.